Democrat Jeff Oshins drops bid for 24th District congressional seat

Jeff Oshins, one of 10 candidates vying for the 24th District congressional seat that will be vacated by nine-term Rep. Lois Capps, announced Friday that he is withdrawing from the race.

Oshins, 65, a Democrat from Santa Barbara, had made alleviating student debt a top issue, and in recent months had become a familiar face on local college campuses, where he promoted a four-point plan to reduce debt.

Oshins had not filed candidate papers before the Friday deadline to have his name placed on the ballot.

On Friday, Oshins said his late entry into the race hindered him from mounting a successful campaign, when other candidates had already raised large sums of money and secured key endorsements.

Despite his dropping out, Oshins said he learned a lot from talking to students and district residents in recent months, namely how student debt is hindering young people from building careers and starting families, and how people seem resigned to the situation.

“I was surprised by the complacency. There seems to be a real apathy on the issue,” Oshins said. “I want people to get angry — this is their future.”

Oshins said he is not prepared to make an endorsement and said he wants to hear more from the remaining candidates if they would support his four-point plan, which includes consolidation and refinancing of debt at the lowest possible interest rate, capping debt repayment to no more than 15 percent of income and the restoration of bankruptcy rights for debtors.

“I’ll support people who can get on board with that,” he said.

The other candidates are: Democrats Salud Carbajal, William Ostrander, Helene Schneider and Benjamin Lucas; Republicans Katcho Achadjian, Justin Fareed, and Matt Kokkonen; and independents John Uerbersax and Steve Isakson.

The 24th District encompasses San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties and part of Ventura County.

This story was originally published March 11, 2016 at 12:18 PM with the headline "Democrat Jeff Oshins drops bid for 24th District congressional seat."